Curtain stretcher



Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CURTAIN STRETCHER Edward M. Scott, Pasadena, Calif. Application July 9, 1948, Serial No. 37,902

Claims. 1

The invention relates to a curtain stretcher, and more particularly to a foldable, knockdown and adjustable curtain stretcher or the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, wherein the stretching bars are sectional, these being hinged together, both at the longitudinal and transverse courses thereof, so that such bars are susceptible of folding while assembled in frame formation, to enable the stretcher to be contracted or reduced in size when not in use to occupy the least possible space for storage, and under the assembly the stretcher is susceptible ofbeing knocked down.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of a. stretcher of this character, wherein in addition to the folding feature, the stretching bars when unfolded are interconnected in frame formation, in a manner to permit of outward pulling thereon to increase the width and length of the frame formation adapting it correspondingly to the size of the work to beheld and stretched, or such (bars can be moved relative to each other, for decreasing the size of the frame formation, as the occasion may require.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, wherein the stretching bars after adjustment relative to each other, they can be latched in determined position, the bars being provided with scale markings thereon, for identifying distances thereof from center of the frame formation, while associated with the latter are supporting legs for holding it while in use in an upright position. v

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, wherein it is made from metal and is devoid of clamps, or the like, thus its metal make-up renders it weather-proof and being clampless makes it quickly adjustable.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stretcher of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, strong, durable, readily and easily folded and unfolded, quick of adjustment, possessed of few parts, novel and unique in assembly of its parts, and inexpensive to manu facture. i

' With these and other objects in view the in vention consists in the features of construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the 2 preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompany drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the curtain stretcher constructed in accordance with the invention, it being set-up for use. i

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View showing one corner assembly of the frame formation.

Figure .3 is a detail enlarged plan view of one corner runner-and latch for the stretcher frame.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figurefi is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of one of the supporting legs for the stretcher, only a portion of the latter being fragmentarily and sectionally disclosed therein. I

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of'one of the stretching bars, showing by dotted lines the hinge joint and by full lines the covering sleeve for the joint.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill of'Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, in detail, A desighates generally the curtain stretcher or the like in its entirety, While B denotes generally the supporting legs therefor, when it is in a set-up condition for use. I

The stretcher A, comprises longitudinal side and transverse end bars I0 and II, respectively, each being preferably made from metal, tubular in form, and flat faced in cross-section, so that said bars are hollow in kind, although such bars may be made solid and of any other suitable material, as may be desired. Such bars Ill and II are composed of several sections of any requiredv length, each section bein'g'identified generally at I2, and is lineally straight throughout its length.

The sections [2 of the respective bars! and H are swingingly connected together by suitable hinges l 3, so that such sections may be folded andunfolded. Slidably fitted onto the bars I and II are runner clips I4, each adapted to be disposed over the pintle of the hinge I3 to hold the sections I2 against folding when these are in unfolded condition, and by sliding the said clips I4 away from the hinge I3 the sections may be folded, as should be obvious from Fi ures 2, 9 and of the drawings.

Located at determined areas on the bars I0 and II, are corner brackets, in the form, of runners, each including sleeve-like super-posed yokes I5 and I6, respectively, which at their inner flat faced surfaces are joined together by separable fasteners, including the male studs" I1 and female cleats It, as clearly disclosed in Figures 4, 5, 6 and '7, of the drawings, so that the yokes I5 and It can be detached from each other to enable the frame of the stretcher to be knocked down, when desired.

The yokes I5 and I6, are slidably accommodated on the bars I0 and I i, companions thereto, so that with their use a stretcher frame is created, the bars I0 being parallel with each other in a longitudinal direction and likewise the bars II parallel with each other in a transverse direction in the frame formation, with the bars I0 and II crossing one another. Such bars II and I I can be adjusted toward or away from one another to increase or decrease the size of the frame when set-up for service, accordingly to the requirements of the work to be handled thereby.

The brackets involving the yokes I5 and I6, each has the latter disposed to receive the bars I0 and II at a point where one bar I0 crosses a bar II, as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings. On the inner edges longitudinally of the bars I0 and II are spaced tackings, such as billed hooks I9, which may be struck from the sections I2, or otherwise created, so that a curtain or the like (not shown) can be attachedto the frame throughout the sides and end thereof, for the stretching of such curtain or the like. The yokes I6 and I5 are so constructed to not interfere with the hooks I9 under the sliding adjustment of the corner brackets, when requiredto increase or decrease the size of the stretching frame.

The sections I2 of the bars l0 and II are scale marked at 2B, in reverse directions to the medial of such bars to indicate the distancedrelationship thereof to the center of the framewhen adjusted, and thus visibly identifying accuracy in trueness of the. frame contour.

On the yokes I5 and I6 at their exposed sides, each carries a pivotally mounted latching lever 2|, the pivot for the same being denoted at 22, and this lever has a biased locking jawor the like 23, which under the tension of a spring 24 connected to the lever engages in a keeper'area 25, it. being provided in the outermost edge face of each of the bars Ill and I I, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, and in this manner the. corner brackets are held latched to the said bars in adjusted positions. Each lever 2I, preferably, is of the shape shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, and its heel end 26 forming a finger trig-- ger, so that the jaw 23 can be released by handagainst the resistance of the spring 24., which urges said jaw or the like to a latchin position; Each yoke I5 and. I6 has a guard extension 25." for the trigger end 26 of the lever 2 I, so thatinjury-to an operator is avoidedby contact of the hand with the tackings before described;

On: the side bars" It, uniformly spaced. from oneend of the frame, atits under side, are socket members, each identified at 21, for detachably accommodating therein the hooking terminal 28 of a foldable prop or leg 29, it being provided with a break-joint 3D, for folding and unfolding of said prop or leg. A sliding sleeve 3I is pro vided on the prop or leg 29 and when covering the joint 30 it prevents folding of the said leg or prop. The props or legs 29 are used with the frame of the stretcher to hold it in position to have one end portion elevated, while in use, as is cl'early'shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The legs or rops 29 have associated with each and the frame, a brace 32, as shown in applied position-in Figure 1 of the drawings for a purpose as common to the use of such braces.

The stretcher frame when unfolded for service, the corner brackets on unlatchin permits the adjustment of the frame involving the bars I0 and. II in accordance with the size of the work attached to the tackings, the adjustments being had by pushing or pulling the bars, and when arriving at the required size of theframefor the stretching of the. work, the latches .lock the corner brackets and barsin fixed relation to one: another, whence a stretching operation takes place on the work.

It should be apparent that theframe whenthe sections of the bars Hi and II have been folded on themselves, can be brought to a compact and retracted condition, on removal of the curtain or the like, after stretching thereof so that the stretcher when not in use can be conveniently handled and. stored in the least possible space with ease and dispatch, the legs or props being also foldable for this purpose.

The curtain or the like is applied and removed in the usualmannercommon to stretchers of the framing type, so a detail explanation of same is omitted for the sake of brevity. Of course, it is understood that the props ofv legs can be folded with the frame of the stretcher, as provision is made for so doing. It should be obvious that the frame is entirely free of clamps orthe equivalent thereof, for the adjustment of 'the'stretcher or for permitting folding thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A curtain stretcher, comprising, a pair of spaced and parallel side bars, a pair of spaced and parallel end bars, all of said: bars being formed of metal tubing, brackets connectingsaidbars together with saidend. bars at rightangles to said side bars, said bars being slidable inasai'dbrackets to adjust the size ofsaid. stretcher, there being four of said brackets, said bracketseach comprising a pair of bar-receiving yokes, each yoke being formed witha channel slidably receivinga bar therein, and means readily detachably conneotingzsaid yokes together with said channels extending at right angles toach other.

2. A curtain stretcher, comprising a pair of spaced and parallel sid bars, a. pair of spaced and parallel end bars, all of-said bars being. formed of metal tubing, bracketsconnecting said bars together. with said end bars at. rightanglestosaid side bars, said bars being, slidable insaid brackets to adjustthe. size of said stretcher, .there being. four of said brackets, said brackets each comprising a pair of bar-receiving yokes, eachyoke being formed with achannel-slid-ably receiv ing a bar therein, means readily detachabl-y con-- necting; said yokes togetherwith said channels extending; at right anglest'o each other, and a pair of spring loaded. latches carried. by each. bracket, each: latch normallyengaging a bar. to? lock the same in adjusted relation :to said-bracket;

3. A curtain stretcher, comprising a pair of spaced and parallel side bars, a pair of spaced and parallel end bars, all of said bars being formed of metal tubing, brackets connecting said bars together with said end bars at right angles to said side bars, said bars being slidable in said brackets to adjust the size of said stretcher, there being four of said brackets, said brackets each comprising a pair of bar-receiving yokes, each yoke being formed with a channel slidably receiving a bar therein, and stud and cleat means readily detachably connecting said yokes together with said channels extending at right an les to each other.

4. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of spaced and parallel side bars, a pair of spaced and parallel end bars, all of said bars being hollow, brackets connecting said bars together with said end bars at right angles to said side bars, said bars being slidable in said brackets to adjust the size of said stretcher, said brackets each comprising a pair of bar-receiving yokes, each yoke being formed with the channel slidably receiving a bar therein, and means readily detachably connecting said yokes together with said channels extending at right angles to each other.

5. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of spaced and parallel side bars, a pair of spaced and parallel end bars, all of said bars being hollow,

.brackets connecting said bars together with said end bars at right angles to said side bars, said bars being slidable in said brackets to adjust the size of said streacher, each of said brackets comprising a pair of bar-receiving yokes, each yoke being formed with a channel slidably receiving a bar therein, means readily detachably connecting said yokes together with said channels extending at right angles to each other, and a pair of latches carried by each bracket, each latch normally engaging a bar to lock the same in adjusted relation to said bracket.

EDWARD MARLINERS SCOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

